The highly anticipated 10th annual Bradenton-Area River Regatta kicked off Friday night, promising an action-packed weekend filled with high-speed F2 and SST-45 powerboat racing, dazzling light shows and family-friendly entertainment on the banks of the Manatee River. The free event, which has become a staple of the community, will also feature concerts and fireworks, and it is expected to draw thousands of spectators to both the Bradenton and Palmetto sides of the river. The spectators — who come from across the region and different parts of the country — will gather along the Green Bridge and at Bradenton Riverwalk's Rossi Park to witness the adrenaline-pumping powerboat races. "This event has been bringing people together for 10 years," Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said. "The first year, it blew it out of the park, but looking at 10 years now and thinking of what this brings as a staple to the community — it's what brings people together."